Important Information from our Child Protection Officer

 

The Blenheims

Keymer Road

Burgess Hill

West Sussex

RH15 0BA

Disclosure Application Guidelines

October 2006

Dear Referee,

You will be aware of the concerns at the top level of our game over the issue of child protection.  The RFU has made significant progress in this area through the development of a child protection policy as part of the wider agenda on equity and ethics in sport being promoted by the government.

All SSRFUR members officiating in matches involving young players will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form, which will be sent to the Rugby Football Union.  

Refusal or failure to submit a completed form will result in that member not being appointed to matches involving young players.  This may sound more than a touch draconian, but please remember the intentions; the Society owes a duty of care for young people and has a responsibility to protect them from harm. 

You will be aware that, in the past, the RFU has accepted CRB checks though other organisations provided the Disclosure Certificate was issued within the previous twelve months.

However, the CRB has recently recommended that organisations no longer accept a “portable” disclosure certificate and the RFU has chosen to accept this recommendation. Therefore, with immediate effect, all CRB checks must be completed through the RFU.

If you have a recently attained a CRB certificate from the RFU, please photocopy it and send it to me at the address above. 

For those who are not CRB checked, please bring the completed CRB form, with Sections A to D & H completed to any discussion meeting (as from 2003, Sections E, F & G need not be filled in). 

To complete the form you will need:

·         Details from your birth certificate

·         Your National Insurance number

·         Full postal addresses of homes where you’ve lived during the past five years

·         A preferred contact telephone number 

You will also be asked to show certain original documents.  As a minimum requirement you will need to show your passport and driving licence, together with proof of current address, (recent utility bill, bank statement etc).  

Please Note Section B

Position Applied for - VOLUNTEER REFEREE 

Organisation Name – SUSSEX REFEREEES' SOCIETY 

Address – please use my address above 

At the moment the RFU pay for this service so please make every effort to fill out the enclosed form and bring all the necessary supporting documentation.  It is far more convenient for all concerned if the forms can be done ‘live’, as I must acknowledge sight of the supporting documents. 

If you have any problems concerning this scheme or would rather not partake in it, please phone me on 01444 232938. Those that find it difficult to attend monthly meetings can phone me to talk about alternate ways of me completing the form for you. 

Regards,

Gordon

 Gordon Burtenshaw

Child Protection Officer

For further information please contact Gordon.

Child Protection Guidelines for Match Officials

 

When refereeing young players match officials should 

·        Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating young players

·        Provide verbal feedback in a positive way during games

·        Appreciate the needs of the players

·        Be a positive role model

·        Recognise that safety is paramount

·        Explain decisions – most young players are still learning

·        Do not tolerate verbal abuse

Officials should not

·        Change in the same area as young players

·        Shower with young players – agree with the coaches a timetable

·        Be alone with young players at any time – if a young player comes into the dressing room ensure another adult is present

·        Check studs without the coach being present

·        Administer first aid

·        Allow a young player to continue playing if you have doubts about their fitness

·        Tolerate bad language from young players

·        Engage in any inappropriate contact with young players

·        Give a lift to a player unless there are other young people or adults in the car and the parents are aware

·        Take a young player to your home

·        Overtly criticise young players or use language which may cause the player to lose confidence or self esteem

·        Make sexually explicit remarks to young players even in fun

Officials must always

·        Report, in writing, to the Club or CB Welfare Officer and/or Society Secretary, behaviour by adults which you feel contravenes RFU Child Protection Policy

o       Verbal bullying by coaches/parents/spectators

o       Physical Abuse by coaches/parents/spectators

o       Inappropriate or aggressive contact by an adult to a young person

o       Verbal abuse directed at you by young people or adults

REMEMBER: 

“The welfare of all young people is paramount”